This rule is effective March 22, 2017 and is applicable beginning March 2, 2017.

32 CFR Part 706

Summary

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS PORTLAND (LPD 27) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

This rule is effective January 19, 2017 and is applicable beginning on January 13, 2017.

32 CFR Part 269

Summary

This final rule is being issued to adjust for inflation each civil monetary penalty (CMP) provided by law within the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense (Department of Defense). The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act), requires the head of each agency to adjust for inflation its CMP levels in effect as of November 2, 2015, under a revised methodology that was effective for 2016 and for each year thereafter.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Final rule.

This rule is effective on January 19, 2018. The compliance date for this rule, except for § __.114(b) (cooperative research), is January 19, 2018. The compliance date for § __.114(b) (cooperative research) is January 20, 2020.

6 CFR Part 46

Summary

The departments and agencies listed in this document announce revisions to modernize, strengthen, and make more effective the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects that was originally promulgated as a Common Rule in 1991. This final rule is intended to better protect human subjects involved in research, while facilitating valuable research and reducing burden, delay, and ambiguity for investigators. These revisions are an effort to modernize, simplify, and enhance the current system of oversight.

2017-01-12; vol. 82 # 8 - Thursday, January 12, 2017

82 FR 3623 - Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

This rule is effective January 12, 2017 and is applicable beginning December 12, 2016.

32 CFR Part 706

Summary

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS OMAHA (LCS 12) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

The Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), proposes to revise the National Industrial Security Program (NISP) Directive. The NISP safeguards classified information the Federal Government or foreign governments release to contractors, licensees, grantees, and certificate holders. This proposed revision adds provisions incorporating executive branch insider threat policy and minimum standards, identifies the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as new cognizant security agencies (CSAs), and adds responsibilities for all CSAs and non-CSA departments and agencies (to reflect oversight functions that are already detailed for private sector entities in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM)). The proposed revisions also make other administrative changes to be consistent with recent revisions to the NISPOM and with updated regulatory language and style.

Effective date: This rule is effective January 5, 2017. Comment date: Comments must be received by March 6, 2017.

32 CFR Part 286

Summary

This part revises the Department of Defense (DoD) Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) regulation to implement the FOIA and incorporate the provisions of the OPEN Government Act of 2007 and the FOIA Improvement Act of 2016. This part promotes uniformity in the Department of Defense (DoD) FOIA Program. It takes precedence over all DoD Component issuances that supplement and implement the DoD FOIA Program.

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning personnel security. The codified rule is outdated and no longer accurate or applicable as written. The rule does not impose obligations on members of the public that are not already imposed by statute. It paraphrases and summarizes relevant sources of law and does not substantively deviate from them.

2016-12-20; vol. 81 # 244 - Tuesday, December 20, 2016

81 FR 92654 - Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

DoD is establishing policies to implement the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (referred to as the “Compact”) within the DoD, informed by the sense of Congress, and in furtherance of the operation of DoD schools. The final rule provides components with policies to support the intent of the Compact, which is to aid the transition of school-age children in military families between school districts (to include between Department of Defense Educational Activity (DoDEA) schools and state school districts). Each state joining the Compact agrees to address specific school transition issues in a consistent way and minimize school disruptions for military children transferring from one state school system to another. The Compact consists of general policies in four key areas: Eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation. Children of active duty members of the uniformed services, National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders, and members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year are eligible for assistance under the Compact.

2016-12-14; vol. 81 # 240 - Wednesday, December 14, 2016

81 FR 90270 - Release of Official Information and Appearance of Witnesses in Litigation

Consideration will be given to all comments received by: February 13, 2017.

32 CFR Part 516

Summary

The Department of the Army proposes to amend its regulation concerning policies and procedures for release of official information and testimony of Army witnesses in federal and state courts where the Army or Department of Defense (DoD) has an interest in the matter. This regulation was last published in the Federal Register on July 29, 1994 (59 FR 38236). At that time, a complete Army Regulation was codified. This revision removes a large portion of the currently codified part that does not apply to the public, and is now included in DoD internal guidance. Army Regulation 27-40, Litigation, dated 19 September 1994, is the corresponding document where the internal guidance is located.

2016-12-07; vol. 81 # 235 - Wednesday, December 7, 2016

81 FR 88167 - Indemnification or Defense, or Providing Notice to the Department of Defense, Relating to a Third-Party Environmental Claim

Written comments on this proposed rule will be accepted on or before February 6, 2017.

32 CFR Part 175

Summary

The DoD proposes to identify the proper address and notification method for an entity making a request for indemnification or defense, or providing notice to DoD, of a third-party claim under section 330 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993, as amended (hereinafter “section 330”), or under section 1502(e) of the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001, (hereinafter “section 1502(e)”). This rule also identifies the documentation required to demonstrate proof of any claim, loss, or damage for indemnification or defense or for providing notice to DoD of a third-party claim. This rule also provides the mailing address for such requests for indemnification or defense or notice to DoD of a third-party claim to be filed with DoD, Office of General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel for Environment, Energy, and Installations (DoDGC(EE&I)). This will allow for timely review and greater efficiency in screening requests for indemnification or defense by providing clarity to requesters.

2016-12-05; vol. 81 # 233 - Monday, December 5, 2016

81 FR 87448 - National Security Education Program (NSEP) and NSEP Service Agreement

This final rule implements the responsibilities of the Secretary of Defense for administering the National Security Education Program (NSEP) and explains the responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)) for policy and funding oversight for NSEP. It discusses requirements for administering and executing the NSEP service agreement and; and assigns oversight of NSEP to the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO).

2016-11-25; vol. 81 # 227 - Friday, November 25, 2016

81 FR 85196 - Production of Official Records or Disclosure of Official Information in Proceedings Before Federal, State or Local Governmental Entities of Competent Jurisdiction

This proposed rule sets forth procedures for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) personnel to follow for the release of official information by NRO personnel in legal proceedings, through testimony, production of documents, or otherwise.

This rule contains amendments for policy changes and clarification and deletions for the Air Force guidance on Administrative claims and Personnel and Carrier Recovery Claims. The rule relates to the Air Force processes for claims filed for and against the Air Force as well as Air Force processes for filing personnel and carrier recovery claims.

This final rule establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures to be used by DoD personnel for the operation and management of the DoD ELAP. The DoD ELAP provides a unified DoD program through which commercial environmental laboratories can voluntarily demonstrate competency and document conformance to the international quality systems standards as they are implemented by DoD.

The rule will be effective on December 15, 2016 unless comments are received that would result in a contrary determination. Comments will be accepted on or before December 12, 2016.

32 CFR Part 635

Summary

The Department of the Army is amending its Law Enforcement Regulation. Specifically, Army is clarifying language for contractors who are required to register as sex offenders on Army installations. This change will allow the Department to collect information from registered sex offenders in accordance with their contract requirements. This ensures contractors meet the government requirements under the terms and conditions of the contract.

Consideration will be given to all comments received by: January 9, 2017.

32 CFR Part 637

Summary

The Department of the Army proposes to revise its regulation concerning policies and procedures for the conduct of Army law enforcement operations and investigations. This regulation was last published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2005 (70 FR 36029). At that time, the entire regulation was codified. The proposed revisions remove a large portion of the currently codified part that does not apply to the public and is now included in DoD internal guidance. The proposed revision also adds guidance on the requirements for the detention of civilians by Army law enforcement to fill a void in published guidance.

To ensure that they can be considered in developing the final rule, comments must be received at either the Web site or mailing address indicated below by February 6, 2017.

32 CFR Parts 21, 22, 32, 33, 34, and 37

Summary

This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) is the last in a sequence of six NPRM documents in this Federal Register that collectively establishes for DoD grants and cooperative agreements an updated interim implementation of Governmentwide guidance on administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for Federal awards and make other needed updates to the DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs). This NPRM removes two existing DoDGARs parts and revises four others in order to conform them with the 11 parts of the DoDGARs proposed in the NPRMs preceding this one in this section of this Federal Register .

2016-11-02; vol. 81 # 212 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016

81 FR 76307 - Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)/TRICARE: Refills of Maintenance Medications Through Military Treatment Facility Pharmacies or National Mail Order Pharmacy Program

This final rule implements section 702 (c) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 which states that beginning October 1, 2015, the pharmacy benefits program shall require eligible covered beneficiaries generally to refill non-generic prescription maintenance medications through military treatment facility pharmacies or the national mail-order pharmacy program. An interim final rule is in effect. Section 702(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 also terminates the TRICARE For Life Pilot Program on September 30, 2015. The TRICARE For Life Pilot Program described in section 716(f) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013, was a pilot program which began in March 2014 requiring TRICARE For Life beneficiaries to refill non-generic prescription maintenance medications through military treatment facility pharmacies or the national mail-order pharmacy program. TRICARE for Life beneficiaries are those enrolled in the Medicare wraparound coverage option of the TRICARE program. This rule includes procedures to assist beneficiaries in transferring covered prescriptions to the mail order pharmacy program.

This rulemaking establishes implementation guidelines for DS Logon to provide a secure means of authentication to applications containing personally identifiable information (PII) and personal health information (PHI). This will allow beneficiaries and other individuals with a continuing affiliation with DoD to update pay or health-care information in a secure environment. This service can be accessed by active duty, National Guard and Reserve, and Commissioned Corps members of the uniformed services when separating from active duty or from the uniformed service.

This rulemaking establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the dissemination and withholding of certain unclassified technical data and technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). It applies to DoD components, their contractors and grantees and is meant to control the transfer of technical data and technology contributing to the military potential of any country or countries, groups, or individuals that could prove detrimental to U.S, national security or critical interests.

2016-10-27; vol. 81 # 208 - Thursday, October 27, 2016

81 FR 74874 - Identification (ID) Cards for Members of the Uniformed Services, Their Dependents, and Other Eligible Individuals

This rule is effective on October 27, 2016. Comments must be received by December 27, 2016.

32 CFR Part 161

Summary

This rule amends an interim rule published on January 6, 2014 which provided procedures for DoD ID cards. These cards are issued to uniformed service members, their dependents, and other eligible individuals and are used as proof of identity and DoD affiliation as well as to facilitate the extension of DoD benefits. The previous rule extended benefits to all eligible dependents of Uniformed Service members and eligible DoD civilians. DoD is proposing further amendments to its ID card policy to include ID card eligibility documentation requirements incorporating guidance addressing the modification of gender in a record for transgender retirees and family members who have completed their gender transition. The rule also aligns the CFR to match revised contents of various DoD policy issuances and NIST Federal Information Processing Standards.

2016-10-20; vol. 81 # 203 - Thursday, October 20, 2016

81 FR 72523 - Management and Mobilization of Regular and Reserve Retired Military Members

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning the management and mobilization of regular and reserve retired military members. This rule does not create the DoD's authority to recall retired members, but it directs how DoD can deploy those members once recalled into active service. Accordingly, the codified rule deals with agency management/personnel, and has been determined to not require rulemaking. Alternatively, this rule is covered by the notice-and-comment exception for military affairs, because the rule governs the uniquely military decision of how best to employ and deploy assets. Therefore, this CFR part can be removed.

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning sale or rental of sexually explicit material on Department of Defense (DoD) property. The codified rule does not impose any duty or obligation on the public that is not already imposed by statute. The rule paraphrases and does not substantially deviate from 10 U.S.C. 2495b, which establishes the prohibition on selling or renting sexually explicit material on DoD property. Also, the codified rule delegates internal authorities and establishes procedures for administering the statute, neither of which have public impact. Consequently, Federal Register rulemaking is not necessary under the Administrative Procedure Act.

This final rule removes DoD's regulation concerning the presentation of DoD-related scientific and technical papers at meetings. The codified rule is outdated and no longer accurate or applicable as written. The codified rule contains internal guidance relating to how and when DoD scientific and technical papers in the possession or under the control of DoD can be presented at meetings. The rule does not impose obligations on members of the public. Therefore, 32 CFR part 249 can be removed from the CFR.

This final rule removes Department of Defense (DoD) Subchapter R concerning organizational charters. The rules in this subchapter address DoD organizational processes for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (ASD(RA)), Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA), and Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA). It has been determined that there is no need to codify the rules in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) because these documents will not create a mandate applicable to persons outside of the DoD.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense is exempting records maintained in DUSDI 01-DoD, “Department of Defense (DoD) Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center (DITMAC) and DoD Component Insider Threat Records System,” from subsections (c)(3) and (4); (d)(1), (2), (3), and (4); (e)(1), (2), (3), (4)(G), (H), and (I), (5), and (8); and (g) of the Privacy Act. In addition, in the course of carrying out collections and analysis of information in connection with the operations of the DITMAC and DoD Component insider threat programs, exempt records received from other systems of records may become part of this system. To the extent that copies of exempt records from those other systems of records are maintained in this system, the Department also claims the same exemptions for the records from those other systems that are maintained in this system, as claimed for the original primary system of which they are a part.

2016-10-07; vol. 81 # 195 - Friday, October 7, 2016

81 FR 69677 - Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

This rule is effective October 7, 2016 and is applicable beginning September 23, 2016.

32 CFR Part 706

Summary

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS SIOUX CITY (LCS 11) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

Effective Date: This rule is effective September 27, 2016. Comments must be received by November 28, 2016.

32 CFR Part 105

Summary

This rule contains amendments to an interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2013, which provided guidance and procedures for the SAPR Program. This included establishing the processes and procedures for the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Kit; establishing the multidisciplinary Case Management Group (CMG), providing guidance on how to handle sexual assault; and establishing minimum program standards, training requirements, and requirements for the DoD Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military. This rule adds amendments from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, which contains a provision that preempts state laws that require disclosure of personally identifiable information (PII) of the adult sexual assault victim or alleged perpetrator to local or state law enforcement. This interim final rule implements this provision with respect to care sought at DoD Installations.

This rule is effective September 27, 2016. Comments must be received by November 28, 2016.

32 CFR Part 103

Summary

This rule amends as a final rule published on April 5, 2013 to implement Department of Defense's SAPR Program. The Department seeks to establish a culture free of sexual assault through prevention, education and training, response capability, victim support, reporting procedures, and accountability to enhance the safety and well-being of all persons covered by this regulation.

The Department of the Army is publishing its regulation for the development, operation, maintenance, and administration of the Army National Cemeteries to reflect their statutory name change to the Army National Military Cemeteries and changes in the management structure, to adopt modifications suggested by the Department of the Army Inspector General and approved by the Secretary of the Army, and to implement changes in interment eligibility reflecting changes in law.

This rule updates policies and responsibilities for basic entrance qualification standards for enlistment, appointment, and induction into the Armed Forces and delegates the authority to specify certain standards to the Secretaries of the Military Departments. It establishes the age, aptitude, character/conduct, citizenship, dependents, education, medical, physical fitness, and other disqualifying conditions that are causes for rejection from military service. Other standards may be prescribed in the event of mobilization or national emergency. This rule sets standards designed to ensure that individuals under consideration for enlistment, appointment, and/or induction are able to perform military duties successfully, and to select those who are the most suitable for Service life.

81 FR 64063 - Access to Classified Information by Historical Researchers and Certain Former Government Personnel

Consistent with Executive Order 13526, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is providing greater clarity about the procedures under which it may provide historical researchers and certain former Government personnel with access to classified CIA information. This rule is being issued as a final rule without prior notice of proposed rulemaking as allowed by the Administrative Procedure Act for rules of agency procedure and interpretation.

On September 2, 2016, the Department of Defense published a final rule (81 FR 61068-61098) titled TRICARE; Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment. DoD is making a technical amendment due to the discovery of two errors. We noted in the preamble of the final rule that we had removed the requirements regarding capacity (30 percent) and length of time licensed and at full operational status (6 months) for substance use disorder rehabilitation facilities (SUDRFs). However, we did not remove the necessary sentence in the regulatory text. In a response to a public comment in the preamble of the final rule, we said that TRICARE will require opioid treatment programs (OTPs) to be licensed and operate in substantial compliance with state and federal regulations. However, we did not make the necessary change in the regulatory text. This technical amendment corrects those errors.

This rule is effective November 14, 2016. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule as of November 14, 2016.

32 CFR Part 2002

Summary

As the Federal Government's Executive Agent (EA) for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), through its Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO), oversees the Federal Government-wide CUI Program. As part of that responsibility, ISOO is issuing this rule to establish policy for agencies on designating, safeguarding, disseminating, marking, decontrolling, and disposing of CUI, self-inspection and oversight requirements, and other facets of the Program. The rule affects Federal executive branch agencies that handle CUI and all organizations (sources) that handle, possess, use, share, or receive CUI—or which operate, use, or have access to Federal information and information systems on behalf of an agency.

On November 2, 2015, the President signed into law the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (the 2015 Act), which further amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990. The 2015 Act updates the process by which agencies adjust applicable civil monetary penalties (CMP) for inflation to retain the deterrent effect of those penalties. The 2015 Act requires that not later than July 1, 2016, and not later than January 15 of every year thereafter, the head of each agency must, by regulation published in the Federal Register, adjust each CMP within its jurisdiction by the inflation adjustment described in the 2015 Act. Accordingly, the Department of Defense must adjust the level of all civil monetary penalties under its jurisdiction through a final rule and make subsequent annual adjustments for inflation.

2016-09-08; vol. 81 # 174 - Thursday, September 8, 2016

81 FR 62008 - Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

This rule is effective September 8, 2016 and is applicable beginning August 10, 2016.

32 CFR Part 706

Summary

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS JOHN FINN (DDG 113) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

2016-09-07; vol. 81 # 173 - Wednesday, September 7, 2016

81 FR 61615 - Professional U.S. Scouting Organization Operations at U.S. Military Installations Overseas; Technical Amendment

On January 25, 2016, the Department of Defense published a final rule, 81 FR 3959-3962, titled Professional U.S. Scouting Organization Operations at U.S. Military Installations Overseas. DoD is making a technical amendment due to the discovery of a mistake regarding the use of nonappropriated funds. A paragraph in the final rule incorrectly stated nonappropriated funds cannot be used to reimburse salaries and benefits of qualified scouting organization employees. Nonappropriated funds may be used to reimburse salaries and benefits of employees of qualified scouting organizations for periods during which their professional scouting employees perform services in overseas areas in direct support of DoD personnel and their families.

This final rule modifies the TRICARE regulation to reduce administrative barriers to access to mental health benefit coverage and to improve access to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for TRICARE beneficiaries, consistent with earlier Department of Defense and Institute of Medicine recommendations, current standards of practice in mental health and addiction medicine, and governing laws. This rule seeks to eliminate unnecessary quantitative and non-quantitative treatment limitations on SUD and mental health benefit coverage and align beneficiary cost-sharing for mental health and SUD benefits with those applicable to medical/surgical benefits, expand covered mental health and SUD treatment under TRICARE to include coverage of intensive outpatient programs and treatment of opioid use disorder and to streamline the requirements for mental health and SUD institutional providers to become TRICARE authorized providers, and to develop TRICARE reimbursement methodologies for newly recognized mental health and SUD intensive outpatient programs and opioid treatment programs.

Written comments received at the address indicated below by October 31, 2016 will be accepted.

32 CFR Part 199

Summary

The Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency, is proposing to revise its reimbursement of Long Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). Proposed revisions are in accordance with the statutory provision at title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.), section 1079(i)(2) that requires TRICARE payment methods for institutional care be determined, to the extent practicable, in accordance with the same reimbursement rules as apply to payments to providers of services of the same type under Medicare. Our regulation includes a definition for “Hospital, long-term (tuberculosis, chronic care, or rehabilitation).” This rule proposes to delete this definition and create separate definitions for “Long Term Care Hospital” and “Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility” in accordance with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) classification criteria. Under TRICARE, LTCHs and IRFs (both freestanding rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation hospital units) are currently paid the lower of a negotiated rate (if they are a network provider) or billed charges (if they are a non-network provider). Although Medicare's reimbursement methods for LTCHs and IRFs are different, it is prudent to propose adopting both the Medicare LTCH and IRF Prospective Payment System (PPS) methods simultaneously to align with our statutory requirement to utilize the same reimbursement system as Medicare. This proposed rule sets forth the proposed regulation modifications necessary for TRICARE to adopt Medicare's LTCH and IRF Prospective Payment Systems and rates applicable for inpatient services provided by LTCHs and IRFs to TRICARE beneficiaries.

2016-08-26; vol. 81 # 166 - Friday, August 26, 2016

81 FR 58840 - Military Lending Act Limitations on Terms of Consumer Credit Extended to Service Members and Dependents

The Department of Defense (Department) is interpreting its regulation implementing the Military Lending Act (the MLA). The MLA as implemented by the Department, limits the military annual percentage rate (MAPR) that a creditor may charge to a maximum of 36 percent, requires certain disclosures, and provides other substantive consumer protections on “consumer credit” extended to Service members and their families. On July 22, 2015, the Department amended its regulation primarily for the purpose of extending the protections of the MLA to a broader range of closed-end and open-end credit products (the July 2015 Final Rule). This interpretive rule provides guidance on certain questions the Department has received regarding compliance with the July 2015 Final Rule.

2016-08-17; vol. 81 # 159 - Wednesday, August 17, 2016

81 FR 54737 - Certifications and Exemptions Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972

This rule is effective August 17, 2016 and is applicable beginning August 9, 2016.

32 CFR Part 706

Summary

The Department of the Navy (DoN) is amending its certifications and exemptions under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS), to reflect that the Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (DAJAG) (Admiralty and Maritime Law) has determined that USS GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10) is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot fully comply with certain provisions of the 72 COLREGS without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this rule is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.

This final rule removes regulations concerning Public Affairs liaison with industry. These Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provisions are outdated and no longer accurate or applicable as written. The guidance, as revised, sets forth internal standards for how DoD employees should reach out and engage with industry. With respect to the visual information portion, it is essentially a collection and discussion of currently applicable intellectual property law that does not create any new public duties or obligations. Therefore, these regulations are removed from the CFR.